Expiration Part 4

"I hope you know this is a terrible plan," Hudson stated, pinching the bridge of his nose, "And it's partially 'cause you won't tell me half of it."

Why am I betting my brother's life on the word of a child again?

Hudson and Colton had been planning Bentley's rescue for the past half hour as they sat in the greenhouse.

"Just trust me. You can get your brother back and then report that unprincipled psychopath." Colton's eyes bored into Hudson's, their icy color adding to the boy's unearthly aura.

Hudson's brow furrowed even further, "But what about you?"

"Don't worry about it. Just get your brother."

Hudson sighed, I'm not exactly sure what he's planning to do, but he seems adamant.

"Are you ready?" Colton asked, standing up.

"As I'll ever be," Hudson grumbled. Hudson placed himself beside Colton and picked him up so that Hudson was supporting Coltons back and legs, "Alright. Act lifeless."

"If that's supposed to be a joke..." Colton glared up at Hudson.

Hudson smiled weakly, despite how he was feeling, "No, sorry. But I was serious. I need you to act like I knocked you out."

Colton sighed, complying with Hudson's wishes. As Colton's limbs went limp, Colton's head dangled upside down and his lips parted slightly.

"Pretty convincing," Hudson stated, before moving towards the exit of the greenhouse. Walking through the halls towards the dining room, Hudson felt a growing sense of dread, a feeling that crept over his heart like the shadows that gripped his heels. After making his way through the winding hallways, Hudson stopped in front of the mahogany doorway that led to the dining room. Hudson breathed in deeply, his grip on Colton tightening ever so slightly. Hudson slowly opened the door with a soft click and gazed into the hall in anticipation, however, there was no living being to be seen, the only movement was the dancing flames atop the candelabras.

"Colton," Hudson spoke softly.

Colton opened his eyes a sliver, just enough to see part of the dining hall upside down. He breathed a barely audible hum.

"They're not here..." Hudson breathed out.

"What?" Colton fully opened his eyes and lifted his head to see for himself. Hudson was right, not a soul in sight.

Hudson furrowed his brow, his eyes trained on something on the floor. Hudson gently placed Colton back on his feet, "Hold on a second."

Hudson approached the object that was lying on the floor, slowly bending down, and reaching out with shaking fingers. As Hudson returned to a standing position, Colton lingered behind him in curiosity, "What is it?"

Hudson trembled, holding the cap with weak, quivering hands.

"Where is he?" Hudson choked out.

Colton felt a pang in his chest, feeling surprised that he could even possess strong feelings after dying and coming back to life, Colton placed a small, pale hand over his chest.

"He'll be all right. But we need to figure out where they went. Do you have any ideas?"

Hudson turned to Colton, recalling the layout of the mansion when he was looking for Colton, "There was a really odd metal door that seemed to lead to a cellar. I had found it cracked open right before you appeared."

Colton narrowed his eyes slightly, "Do you remember what it smelt like?"

Hudson furrowed his brow, looking Colton up and down in a questioning manner, "Well it was musty, but besides that, I don't really know. The scent did have something off about it though... Why do you ask?"

"Just a theory, but I think we should check it out." Colton thought out loud, his fingers gently resting on his chin.

Hudson sighed, dreading every second he spent in the mansion and regretting the moment he accepted the offer to dig up the now undead child in front of him. Hudson solemnly stuffed Bentley's cap in his coat pocket, and once again picked up Colton. As Hudson wandered back into the dimly lit halls, he looked down at Colton, who had taken to going limp once more. Colton had risen from the dead that much was obvious since Hudson had dug him out of his grave earlier that night. However, if Hudson were to suddenly see Colton without knowing any information about him beforehand, Hudson would still get the impression that Colton looked like he had clawed his way out of the ground. Coltons skin was unnaturally pale and translucent, with a faint hue of purple, meaning that Hudson could see a few veins underneath his flesh. Holding Colton now, Hudson realized that the boy was still frigid, even after running and walking around.

I'm holding a living dead body, the thought ran shivers down Hudson's spine. Everything Hudson had known to be true was turned on its head in less than a few hours.

Hudson turned another corner, the metal door in view. Hudson's brain was wrapped in a haze, obscuring, and withholding the seething anger underneath, as he reached for the door. Hudson had a strong feeling that behind the door, Hudson would find the closet where the surgeon hid all his skeletons, and possibly quite literally. With his fingers pressed against the hard cold surface of the metal, the door groaned as the door was slowly pulled open. A familiar cold seeped up from the darkness and wrapped itself around Hudson's shoulders as Hudson stared into the foreboding darkness. Taking a deep breath, Hudson began to descend the spiraling stone steps, making sure Colton didn't bump against the walls, letting the darkness engulf him as the light filtering in from the door slowly dissipated behind him the further he went down. Hudson continued carefully down the steps in complete darkness until a faint glow began to emanate in front of him. Hudson slowed to a crawl and squinted at the light, his senses on full alert trying to figure out what was up ahead. Hearing a faint scuff on the ground, Hudson stopped to see who or what was ascending the stairs. As the figure slowly appeared around the bend, Hudson saw a slightly hunched over man with a weathered face: it was the butler. He was holding a single candle to illuminate the way, its faint light casting terrifying shadows on his wrinkled face. The old man looked up at Hudson and then down at Colton, "The master has been waiting for you."

Hudson just stared back at the butler, his heart racing and a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. When the butler assumed he wouldn't get a reply out of the young man, he continued to shuffle up the steps to pass Hudson. As the snail-paced old man stepped onto the same stoop as Hudson, Hudson asked, "Why do you help him? Do you really think that all of this is alright?"

The butler stopped and looked Hudson in the eyes, "Why do you think he keeps me around? Why do you think he hasn't killed me yet?"

Hudson looked down at the old man in confusion.

"Because I can't run."

Hudsons brow furrowed even further, not in confusion, but concern. Hudson looked down at the butler's legs, understanding that he had trouble making the journey up the staircase.

The old man continued up the staircase at his slow, shuffling pace, "Good luck."

Hudson watched as the feeble light faded up the staircase, his attention turning back towards the cold draft when he was once again secluded by the darkness. Hudson began the slow descent down the staircase, each step getting closer to death. Further down, a pungent smell hit Hudson like a wall, and he knew it all too well: the smell of a rotting corpse. Hudson faltered slightly, fearing what he'd see around the next bend. As Hudson cautiously rounded the corner into a dimly lit room, Hudson almost dropped Colton out of freight. The sudden feeling raked across his body like a lightning bolt that slashed through a churning sky, and in its wake left Hudson's entire body to shake.

Blood. Crimson pools that gushed through the cracks in the stone floor and dried into a flaky orange film. Hudson was greeted with his very own welcome party: a girl's wrists were clapped in iron and chained to the wall so that he hung over a tub. Her body stuck out from the wall as if something held her there, and as Hudson dared to look at the dead girl, he saw her neck impaled. A cold, dark steel stake protruded from the wall, holding her neck out at the end as if it was inviting guests to look at its oozing crimson liquid. The tub below the impaled body caught whatever blood that trickled down into it, however, its contents had overflowed, leaving rudy orange trails down the side of its pale metal. Hudson looked away, away from with horrible swirling darkness in the tub, away from a fate he dreaded.

Colton peeked one of his eyes open, feeling Hudson's arm tremble as the teen held him. From his upside-down view, Colton saw a dank cellar, dimly lit by torches that flickered in the chilling air. Colton twitched his arm that was touching Hudson to tell him to get a move on. Hudson, feeling the slight movement, gratefully moved away from the gory scene before him. Setting his sights on the archway of the next cell of the chamber, Hudson ahead moved steadily towards the slight sound of movement in the next room. As Hudson peered around the corner, the back of the surgeon was to him as he leaned over a body on his examination table. Hudson's eyes widened in fear, his heart skipping a beat, Please don't be Bentley...

"Mr. Hamilton?" Hudson called out, trying to avoid the tremor in his voice, but failing.

Mr. Hamilton's back straightened at the sound of Hudson's voice, a grin growing on his face before turning around. With his slightly bloody scalpel in hand, he looked at Hudson with excited eyes, then down to the frail figure Hudson was holding, and then back up to meet Hudson's eyes. The surgeon's grin grew larger before he spoke, "I just knew you could do it! Certainly a reliable young man! I can't thank you enough!"

Before the surgeon could say any more, Hudson asked the only thing he wanted to know, "Where's my brother?"

Mr. Hamilton's grin turned into a soft smile, however, Hudson could still tell it was malicious as the surgeon's lips were still curled and his eyes had a sparkle of mischief. Mr. Hamlton stepped aside so Hudson could view the body on the table. Soft, but mangled blonde hair pooled slightly on the table. Hudsons heart skipped a beat as he gazed down at his brother's peacefully sleeping face. A mix of emotions washed over Hudson: he felt relief seeing his brother still breathing, but angry and sad that Bentley had been caught up in Hudson's mess and that the blood on the surgeon's scalpel was most likely Bentley's.

"What the hell did you do to him?" Hudson growled, his eyes moving from Bentley's bare chest to Mr. Hamilton's brown eyes.

Mr. Hamilton tilted his chin up as he narrowed his eyes in delight, his lips curling even further into a cruel smile, "Nothing much really. I had slipped a little something into Bentley's tea to help calm his nerves."

"Bullshit, old man!" Hudson exclaimed furiously, "Before Bentley and I even stepped into that dining hall something was slipped into our drinks! Both of them!"

Mr. Hamilton's giddy expression died down to a more serious, cunning smile as he tilted his chin back down and his head to the side, "You're smarter than you look for a street rat."

"I'm a street rat, not an idiot! Bentley and I have survived on our own with street smarts!"

"You have, haven't you?" Mr. Hamilton's eyes glazed over as he sauntered over to the young man, walking around Hudson as he looked him over.

"W-what do you mean?" Hudson asked cautiously.

Mr. Hamilton stopped once he was behind Hudson, resting his cold boney hands on Hudsons shoulders. Leaning into Hudson's ear, Mr. Hamilton stated in a low voice, "It's the reason why I love talking to people like you."

As the surgeon pulled away, Hudson could still feel the slight brush of his breath lingering on the tip of his ear, and the only sound that remained after Mr. Hamiltion's assertion: was the blood rapidly rushing past Hudson's ears.

Mr. Hamilton turned back towards Hudson, observing his confused and terrified expression with a soft smile. Mr. Hamilton's gaze then shifted down at Bentley, his fingers gently stroking his locks of hair, "Hudson, would you please put down Colton?"

Hudson squeezed Colton slightly before replying, "What are you gonna do with him?"

Mr. Hamilton's eyes narrowed at Hudson, "That's none of your concern. All you wanted was your brother back, right? So what does it matter what happens to an undead boy?"

Hudson pursed his lips slightly, a bead of sweat forming on his temple, "So we're gonna trade, yes?"

Mr. Hamilton smiled and hummed, giving a nod of his head.

"If I see you go anywhere near that tray of yours," Hudson indicated the tray of utensils that would make anyone start hyperventilating, "I swear to God I'll-"

"I know, I know." Mr. Hamilton interrupted with a smile.

Hudson glared at the surgeon before turning his attention to Colton. Hudson gently rested Colton on the ground, using his hand to guide Colton's head so it didn't roughly hit the ground. Hudson stood back up from his squatting position and eyed the surgeon as he moved towards his brother. Reaching the table, Hudson looked down at Bentley's exposed chest. An incision had been made in between Bentley's rib cage. It was a small and shallow cut, but it was slightly bleeding nonetheless.

"What is this?" Hudson demanded, scowling at the man with eyes that could melt steel.

"Hm?" Mr. Hamilton questioned, but then shifted his gaze towards Bentley's chest, "Oh that."

Mr. Hamiltion smiled as he explained, "I had made a small cut before you stumbled in and interrupted my brilliant work."

"You mean to tell me you would've sliced my brother open if I had walked in any later?!"

"In a word... Yes," Mr. Hamilton stated as he rested a thumb and forefinger on his chin.

"Fuck you! You said you wouldn't touch him! You said I had till sunrise!" Hudson yelled furiously.

"I said no promises," Mr. Hamiltion growled menacingly as he took a stride towards Hudson. Hudson took a step back in unease, but Mr. Hamilton followed to close the distance.

"Which means, I didn't promise to hand over your brother, I didn't promise I wouldn't use anything against you," Mr. Hamiltion snarled as he raised a syringe that he had kept hidden in his supply belt. Hudson flinched and moved to run past him, but before Hudson could move an inch, the surgeon had roughly grabbed Hudson by the throat with his left hand. The syringe in the surgeon's right hand moved steadily closer to Hudson, "and I didn't promise I would let you go."

Hudson gasped for breath, clinging onto Mr. Hamilton's left hand as it clenched his pulsating, warm neck, "W-Why?"

"Why? Why do I want to keep all of you here so bad?" Mr. Hamilton laughed before continuing, "I thought you said you were smart, Hudson! Fine. I'll elaborate. The reason why I like you street rats so much is for one simple reason. No one will miss you when you are gone! You have no one to care for you, and if you go missing, no one will look for you! I can have all the greedy orphans be my live experiments, and no one will bat an eye!"

Hudson glanced at Bentley as he gasped for breath, the gesture didn't go unnoticed.

"Yes, your brother. I'm quite lucky that you decided to bring him along! Two birds with one stone is always thrilling! Normally, I eventually kill the people who whined up chained and shackled in my cellar, however, I quite like you and Bentley. I think I'll keep you alive through all your future surgeries," Mr. Hamilton slightly stroked Hudson's neck with his index finger before continuing, "Bentleys so kind, innocent, and naive, while you're filled with a cunning, fiery passion. Loyal to those you love."

Hudson shook furiously, tears forming in his eyes as he felt himself getting light-headed. Mr. Hamilton smiled at Hudson's state, "Don't be scared, Hudson! I'll make proper use of you! Me practicing on you will result in the advancement of medicine!"

Mr. Hamilton once more began to move the syringe towards Hudson, Hudsons eyes becoming wide before he clamped his eyes for what was to come. Right as the needle neared Hudson's flesh, Mr. Hamilton recoiled back and yelled in surprise and agony. Hudson was released from the surgeon's grasp and cautiously opened his eyes. Before him, Hudson saw the surgeon bent down, holding the new gash on his leg as Colton stood a few feet away, holding a bloodied knife.

So this is the part of the plan Colton didn't tell me about?

Mr. Hamilton lunged at Colton in rage, but his injured leg prevented the surgeon from grabbing Colton effectively as the young boy merely stepped out of the way.

"You- You planned this, didn't you!" Mr. Hamilton shouted as he glared at Hudson.

Hudson smiled slightly through labored breaths, "Still think I'm dumb, Mr. Hamilton?"

Mr. Hamilton snarled through his teeth as he looked back at Colton, "Drop the knife, Colton."

"Why should I?" Colton tilted his head up in defiance.

"Colton, do you know why you're alive?"

"You have something to do with it, don't you?! Why?! I already died! Why did you bring me back in the most horrible way?!" Colton bawled.

"Put the knife down, and I'll tell you."

Colton momentarily ignored the surgeon and shifted his gaze to Hudson, "Take your brother and escape while you can."

Hudson hesitantly glanced at Mr. Hamilton before giving Colton a slight nod. As Hudson moved towards the operating table, Mr. Hamilton's eyes grew wide. His plan was falling apart. The surgeon attempted to outstretch his hand to grab Hudson, but Colton stopped him, "Don't you dare!"

Once Hudson was at Bentley's side, he gently picked the teen up, cradling him in his arms. Hudson moved around the table towards Coltons back and the exit, Hudson stopped before exiting the room, "What about you?"

"Don't worry about me," Colton assured, not taking his eyes off Mr. Hamilton.

Hudson looked back at Colton in worry, but Colton returned Hudson's gaze with kind eyes, assuring Hudson it was alright to leave him. Hudson then took a step into the hallway and disappeared from view as he made his way towards the staircase.

Mr. Hamilton hummed, "That was very brave of you, Colton. To make sure your new friends got away."

"Shut up! The only thing I wanna hear from you is an explanation!"

"Hmm, yes, I suppose I do owe you that, don't I?"

Colton only narrowed his eyes in response.

Mr. Hamilton smiled, "Colton, you didn't die from some disease. In fact, I had already cured you of it before you died."

Colton bared his teeth in surprise.

"No. I killed you, Colton!" the surgeon laughed as he leaned on the operating table for support, "But, I was also the one to bring you back, so you could argue I never killed you in the first place, but I digress."

"What do you mean?" Coltons voice seething with hatred.

"Every shot, pill, and drink I gave you was to kill you and prepare your body to come back to life. However, in order for you to come back to the land of the living, I needed your body. That's where the boys came in. I played the waiting game and they did the heavy lifting. Once you were in my mansion, I could give you the second half of my 'medicine.'"

"Your butler did that part didn't he?" Colton concluded.

"Yes. Where you were so kind enough to give him a gash on his head."

"How do you think someones going to react when they die and then wake up to an old man inserting a needle into your neck?" Colton sassed.

Mr. Hamilton smiled at Colton, "True. But now that I've told you, put the knife down, Colton."

"What makes you think I'm going to put down the knife after hearing everything you just told me!" Colton screamed.

Mr. Hamilton's smile fell, "I was afraid you'd say that."

The surgeon reached out his arm, quickly thrusting his hand towards Coltons wrist before the boy could resist. Colton made sounds of struggle as he attempted to twist his wrist out of the surgeon's grasp. However, despite Colton's struggling, the knife dropped to the floor with a clatter, its shining red edges glinting up into Colton's icy eyes. Mr. Hamilton then moved to grab the boy's other wrist, but Colton pulled away, "No!"

Colton kicked and clawed at the surgeon, anything to get away. Colton managed to break free and run out of the room. Colton saw the stairwell in the dim light, his hope rose. Cotons foot caught on a stone and he tumbled to the floor, taking the hope down with him and shattering it as he hit the floor. Colton scrambled to get up, but Mr. Hamilton was already upon him. Mr. Hamilton grabbed the back of Colton's collar and lifted him up. Colton kicked and screamed, his feet failing wildly back and forth in the air as he grabbed at his collar. Mr. Hamilton staggered at the effort but was driven to keep going despite his injury. Mr. Hamilton's gushing gash was in perfect reach of Colton's heel. Observing this, Colton drove his foot back into the dripping open wound. Mr. Hamilton screamed like a harpy but refused to let go, "That's it. You're dead for real this time!"

Mr. Hamilton limped forward with Colton in his clutches towards the hanging girl at the foot of the stairs. Colon screamed in terror as they neared, his body moving more frantically. Coltons feet banged on the side of the tub as Mr. Hamilton hovered over the dark pool. Colton was able to take one last breath before the surgeon plunged the boy headfirst into the thick, scarlet blood. The sticky substance splashed onto the cobblestone floor and seeped into the cracks as the blood slowly congealed. Mr. Hamilton held Colton down, his arms soaked to his elbows as he watched the air bubbles surface and make ruddy half-spheres. Coltons sharp and erotic movements vastly contrasted the slow and clam drips that glided down the side of the tub.

This is it? Isn't it? Colton thought, his eyes and mouth clamped shut.

I know I was aiming to kill myself anyway since I'm supposed to be dead, but that was only after he was dead first. I'm sorry Hudson. Hopefully, you have more luck on your end.

Coltons movements became more sporadic as his body was reaching its limit. Just before Colton finally stopped struggling, his body drew in an involuntary breath, his lungs taking in the thick viscosity of the blood.

With Colton ceasing his movement, Mr. Hamilton staggered back to his operation room, "I need... I need to... ugh."

Mr. Hamilton fell onto the operating table, his breathing labored. The surgeon reached for the gauze, but his vision was fading quickly. Mr. Hamilton collapsed onto the floor, his hand slamming the tray onto the ground with a clatter, and the utensils were strewn around him as he bled out.

***

Hudson trekked down the dirt road, his brother dangling in his arms. Hudson encountered no other complications as he left the hell house. The only issue being that Bentley was shirtless in the chilling weather. Hudson had removed his jacket and buttoned it around Bentley, hoping it was enough. Over halfway, to town, Bentley began to stir in Hudson's arms, "...Hudson?" He asked in a husky voice.

Hudson immediately stopped in his tracks, looking down at his brother, tears pricking his eyes, "Bentley..."

Looked around with tired eyes, "I thought... I thought we were in..."

Hudson lowered himself to his knees and set Bentley on the ground, his head resting in his lap, "Were out. Were safe..."

Tears fell from Hudson's eyes, "You're okay.... you're okay...."

Bentley looked up at Hudson with concern as a tear gently landed on his face Benley's brother never cried. At least in front of him.

"Hudson-"

Hudson bent his head down, so it was resting on Bentley's chest as he sobbed, "I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry... I- I promise. I'll never drag you into things again. No more grave robbing! I don't care! I'll find another way to make money. I'll listen to your advice next time just please!"

Hudson lifted his head up to look into Bentley's eyes. Hudson continued with a soft whimper, "Please don't leave me."

Hudson pleading, watery eyes shocked Bentley, causing his heart to ache and his eyes to tear up as well, "How could I? I love you."

Hudson and Bentley hugged and cried until Bentley slipped back into slumber from mere exhaustion.

Hudson lifted Bentley off the ground and continued his labored journey into town. Hudson looked up at the sky: dawn's rosy fingers were stretching across the sky as Hudson made for home.

***

As soon as Hudson made it into town he went to the town sheriff. Hudson explained that he and Bentley were kidnapped by Mr. Hamilton in an attempt to use them as science experiments. Hudson also recalled multiple dead bodies in the cellar and the strange plants found in the man's greenhouse. The sheriff's office didn't believe Hudson's tall tale until the butler of the manor called for the officers to search the mansion. Upon doing so, the officer found many corpses, proving that Mr. Hamilton was a part of the corpse trade. Among the bodies found were Coltons, reported drowned, and Mr. Hamiltons who had bled out to death. As a reward, Hudson Bentley, and the butler received a handsome sum of money. No longer did Hudson and Bentley have to do grave rob, and Hudson was able to keep his promise.